One major rule: be accurate. Setting the right expectations leads to great reviews, while the opposite might be hazardous; reviews cannot be removed or edited. Here are a few recommendations:
- Fill in all sections and add a detailed and accurate description - 100 words or more is great. Mention details that could be appealing to campers, what makes your spot and/or accommodation unique, accessible facilities, and things to do and see nearby. Don’t forget to update your listing if things change or evolve - perhaps you have a sudden urge to make extensions to your house, for instance. Waking your guests with the pretty sound of a high pressure drill pump might be unpleasant for them - especially if they didn’t receive a heads-up beforehand.
- Set the correct address and pin your place properly on the map. If you live in no man’s land, doing this will save you and your guests a lot of time and confusion. Don’t forget to mention exactly how to get there - if you need to take a boat or leave the car behind to travel the last 2 km by foot, it’s important that people know.
- Upload high-quality pictures. Pictures are the #1 reason for picking one place over another. Don’t hesitate to add in at least 10 photos to show your spot and/or accommodation as well as the surrounding environment and little details you might want to highlight. Put yourself in the campers’ shoes and imagine whether or not your pictures would make you want to book the spot yourself. We can’t recommend enough avoiding the blurry, off centered picture of that distant relative doing the thumbs up in his shorts from the 90’s in the middle of one of your tents. First impressions matter, so make it memorable - in a good way.
- Set expectations. Ensure your guests have adequate knowledge of your personal land rules prior to arrival to avoid playing the bad cop once they’ve arrived.
- Set a fair price. Look around: other hosts might offer a similar experience to yours. That could give you an idea of the amount you should ask for your spot. Also, think seasonal. Your place is probably worth a different price in peak and off-season.